Aaron Lennon has revealed he has been approached by other players struggling with mental health issues after opening up about his own problems.
In May 2017, Lennon, then with Everton, was detained under the Mental Health Act over concerns for his welfare. The winger received treatment for what was described as a stress-related illness.
Lennon, who moved to Burnley the following January, was at Shuttleworth College on Wednesday to help launch Burnley in the Community’s Schools’ Mental Wellbeing Project.
The scheme, which has received funding from the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association among others, is placing mental health professionals in seven secondary schools in the area.
He said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of players. Obviously, I’m not going to name them but they wanted to know what I was going through and I gave them some advice.
“If anyone is feeling that way then they should definitely go and seek the help they need.”
The 31-year-old hopes he can be an example to children who might take advantage of the project. He said: “It’s not really about me but I’d like to think so, and for the kids (to know) it’s all right to feel that way or feel a bit low.
“Everyone knows what I went through, so once they got in touch with me to be a part of this I couldn’t wait to be involved. If you see today, it’s brilliant, and I do think it’s definitely needed.
“The fact that it gives the kids the opportunity to speak to someone, and to have someone in the schools now that they can go and talk to and feel comfortable with, I think it can only benefit them.”
“I’ve had friends who have had issues,” he said. “It’s around a lot nowadays and credit to Aaron for coming here and speaking in front of everyone and being part of this as well.
“It’s fantastic and it encourages people to come out and speak about it, which is the best thing to do. Hopefully, it will show that people are speaking about it and it’s not a closed subject.”
